A woman has been sentenced for collaborating in sexual offenses against minors with her co-defendant.
Sara Anne Simonelli, 41, of New Milford, has been sentenced to fifty years in prison, with the death penalty suspended after twenty years served, followed by twenty years on probation.
Simonelli was also required to register with the Connecticut Sex Offender Registry.
Simonelli pleaded guilty in Torrington Superior Court on June 4, 2024, to four counts of employing a minor in an obscene performance, two counts of promoting a minor in an obscene performance, one count of first-degree sexual assault with a victim under the age of 13, and one count of endangering a minor.
On Jan. 30, 2024, Almeida pled guilty in Torrington Superior Court to two counts of first-degree possession of child pornography, two counts of accessory to employing a minor in an obscene act, and one count of accessory to commit danger of injury to a child.
The case arose from an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which resulted in a search warrant and the seizure of many electronic devices belonging to Almeida.
Authorities discovered over 400 files involving child pornography on Almeida’s computers. Police discovered recordings and images of the victim on his cell phone, including many videos of Almeida abusing the victim.
Text messages between Almeida and Simonelli about the content were also discovered.
Almeida and Simonelli were in a relationship when the offenses occurred.
Reference: